Nedumkandam (Idukki): With only a Class 10 education, a homemaker has today built an ice cream brand with an annual turnover of more than ₹1.5 crore. This is the remarkable story of 58-year-old Malarvizhi Manoharan, whose resilience turned setbacks into success.

Born into a wealthy family in Bodinayakanur, Tamil Nadu, Malarvizhi was married into another affluent household in Chennai at the age of 15. Life seemed secure until her husband’s business collapsed, pushing the young mother of two into uncertainty.

With nothing left, she sold her gold and, 37 years ago, boarded a bus to Udumbanchola in Kerala. There, all she had was a 10-acre plot of land, a mud-walled hut. But she began rebuilding life step by step. Meanwhile, her husband remained in Chennai.

Her journey started with just one cow. Over time, that grew into a herd of 12, generating nearly ₹1 lakh a month. From there, she diversified into cardamom, black pepper, mushrooms, and even experimented with aquaponics long before it became popular.

Three years ago, she launched the Rafeo ice cream brand. Today, the company employs around 40 workers. The ice cream is made from the milk of native-breed cows on her farm and fruits grown in her Tamil Nadu plantations. Tamil Nadu remains the primary market, and demand continues to grow.